Earlier this week, the Disneyland Resort shared what is coming throughout the year in 2026. This includes the arrival of Bluey, dates for Oogie Boogie Bash, and more. Now, Walt Disney World Resort has shared what is coming throughout this upcoming year. There is no shortage of things to be excited about. This includes the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the opening of Soarin’ Over America, Blue’s arrival at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and a whole lot more! Below is a look at the upcoming year at Walt Disney World. This includes the return of the Free Dining Plan for Kids at Walt Disney World. Check out all of the fun below!
Early 2026
2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
January 23 – February 23, 2026
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns on January 16 and continues through February 23rd. This beautiful festival includes artisanal dishes, gorgeous artwork, and the popular Broadway showtunes from DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows being performed by the actual stars of those shows!
Disney After Hours
January 12 – September 24, 2026
In January, Disney After Hours returns to Walt Disney World Resort. For these separately ticketed events, Walt Disney World theme parks are able to be experienced after they have ended their normal operating days. This gives guests the opportunity to go on adventures at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, explore the world at EPCOT, or be enchanted at Magic Kingdom. These events are full of fun, magic, and include snacks and beverages!
Get tickets for Disney After Hours now at DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours.
Frozen Ever After
February 2026
Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff’s Audio-Animatronics figures in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT are receiving new updates. They will take inspiration from the advancements that are seen in the figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland. These updated figures will be debuting at EPCOT in this attraction in February 2026!
Spring 2026
2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
March 4 – June 1, 2026
The 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is a perfect springtime celebration at EPCOT. With flowers blooming, birds chirping, and even butterflies flitting around, this is a beautiful celebration of spring. This vibrant festival returns from March 4 to June 1st. During this, guests will get to enjoy seeing whimsical topiaries and lush gardens as they savor mouthwatering bites at Outdoor Kitchens and dance the night away during the Garden Rocks Concert Series. More details about this festival are promised to be coming soon!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Spring 2026
Big Thunder Mountain is set to reopen this spring at Magic Kingdom. When it does, there will be new magical details to be experienced as guests enjoy the return of the “wildest ride in the wilderness!” This will include the Rainbow Caverns that will be found in the heart of this mysterious mountain. More details about what can be experienced with the return of this attraction can be found here.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Spring 2026
On the other side of Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also be reopening this spring. Guests will get to help Buzz Lightyear take on Evil Emperor Zurg. When they do so, it will be aboard updated ride vehicles with new handheld blasters and interactive targets.
Summer 2026
Cool Kids’ Summer
Summer 2026
Summer is a fantastic time to visit Walt Disney World Resort, especially with the kids being out of school and Cool Kids’ Summer returning! Throughout the summer, there will be opportunities to dance at GoofyCore in EPCOT, play games with favorite characters in the parks, and enjoy new and refreshed attractions. On top of all the fun, there are new family-friendly offers and deals for summer vacations coming to the Most Magical Place on Earth! Many of these will be unveiled in January! Daps Magic will be sharing about them as they become available.
Disney Water Park Admission
Summer 2026
For guests staying at one of the Disney Resort Collection hotels during the summer of 2026, they will again get to enjoy free Disney Water Park admission on their arrival day. This popular perk is included with their stay. It gives a chance for guests to splash their way into their summer vacation at Walt Disney World Resort!
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Summer 2026
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is returning in the summer of 2026. This separately ticketed event allows guests to splash the night away with a DJ dance party, meet with some favorite Disney pals, enjoy favorite watery attractions, all while enjoying complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages. Even more awesome? This all takes place after the sun goes down and the water park closes!
Banana Ball
May 29 – May 30, 2026
Banana Ball is coming to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World on May 29th and May 30th. Fans will get to cheer on team Loco Beach Coconuts or team Party Animals as they show off their trick plays, diving catches, and other on-the-field shenanigans that are full of fun. The Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is currently closedbut a limited number of Ticket Inclusive of Food & Beverage will be available for fans to purchase soon, so keep an eye open!
Bluey & Bingo at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Summer 2026
At Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, play and dance with Bluey and Bingo during the summer of 2026. While visiting, guests will be able to play some favorite games from Bluey episodes that have a fun animal twist, like butterfly Keepy Uppy.
Along with getting to play and dance with Bluey and Bingo, head outside and discover an experience that includes animals that are native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
Summer 2026
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will be opening this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will get the chance to dance along with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they embark on a road trip to find some of their best pals – Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto – for the party. This show has already been shown over at the Disneyland Resort, and soon it will be able to be seen in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area at this Walt Disney World park.
The Magic of Disney Animation
Later Summer 2026
The Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios later in the summer. It will invite guests into the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios and its beloved, playful creations. Inspired by Once Upon a Studio, animated characters will come to life and leap from their portraits, draw with guests, and invite them into a Drawn To Wonderland playground that is inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original Alice in Wonderland concept art.
Guests will also be able to venture into Off the Page! This is a stunning area that is born of collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Once there, they will be able to meet some favorite friends from beloved Disney stories across six unique departments from the animation studio:
- Story
- Layout
- Hand-Drawn Animation
- Computer Animation
- Lighting
- Effects
In each space, there will be some incredible photo opportunities to be experienced. Disney shared examples of being able to meet Mulan in the Story department as they pose in front of an oversized storyboard panel. They will also be able to step into the Layout department, where Rapunzel awaits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera. Align the photo just, and all the layers of background and painted cells will come together like magic!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
Summer 2026
On Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a Muppetational transformation is happening. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will be opening in the summer of 2026. For those who want to go on another ride with Aerosmith before the rock off into the sunset, this will be possible until sometime in the spring of 2026.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
May 22, 2026
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting an update with the arrival of The Mandalorian & Grogu in theaters this summer. On May 22nd, guests will get to go for a ride with Grogu aboard the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. More details about this update can be found here.
Soarin’ Across America
By Memorial Day 2026
As the United States of America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Walt Disney World will also join in on the celebration. As a part of that, the new Soarin’ Across America will be opening at Walt Disney World by Memorial Day 2026 (ahead of the California opening on July 2, 2026). The Walt Disney Company was founded over a hundred years ago in Los Angeles, California. “Disney Celebrates America” will see the entire company commemorating this milestone anniversary of the United States, including Soarin’ Across America. This version of Soarin’ will be an immersive flight experience across new scenic vistas throughout the United States at both Disney California Adventure and EPCOT.
Fall 2026
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Fall 2026
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a fall favorite for guests at Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can enjoy the variety of culinary offerings, enjoy the Eat to the Beat concerts, and a whole lot more as they take a global culinary tour around EPCOT.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Fall 2026
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to the Magic Kingdom in the fall of 2026. Guests will get to head to the Magic Kingdom in their Halloween costumes for this separately ticketed event on select nights. Once there, they can experience some classic Halloween entertainment, themed food and beverages, and some frightfully fun character greetings throughout the night. Specifics about this year’s dates and details will be released later in 2026.
Winter 2026
Disney Jollywood Nights
Winter 2026
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hosting the separately ticketed holiday event once again, which combines holiday cheer and Hollywood glam on select nights in 2026. Disney Jollywood Nights will give the guests the chance to celebrate the season in style with themed entertainment, festive food and beverage offerings, character greetings galore, and of course, all things glitz and glamour. Specifics about the 2026 Disney Jollywood Nights will be released at a later date.
Mickey’s Very-Merry Christmas Party
Winter 2026
The Magic Kingdom will become the merriest place on earth with cocoa, cookies, and even Santa during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This special Christmas party will take place after hours on select nights in the winter of 2026. The separately ticketed event is packed with seasonal entertainment, delicious food, and cozy merchandise, which is the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the season.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth
Winter 2026
Another fantastic holiday celebration at Walt Disney World Resort is the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. This popular festival will be returning in 2026. Guests will be able to experience tales from far and near as told by Holiday Storytellers. They will also get to enjoy delicious comfort foods from Holiday Kitchens and experience the glorious Candlelight Processional. This is a glorious performance that is part of a beautiful Festival of the Holidays.
2026
LEVEL99
2026 will also see the opening of LEVEL99 at Disney Springs West Side! While a specific date has not been revealed for its opening, Disney shares that it will open sometime in 2026. When it does, there will be over 60 themed challenge rooms, duels, and art hunts that will test the mental and physical prowess of friends and families. The location will also include a 2-story bar where a drink can be enjoyed along with one of LEVEL99’s signature Detroit-style pizzas.
Other Walt Disney World Highlights
Along with all of the new offerings at Walt Disney World in 2026, there will also be some returning favorites that shouldn’t be overlooked. Guests visiting in 2026 will also be able to experience some of these favorite offerings (there are a whole lot more, but this isn’t a book):
- Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Reimagined Test Track at EPCOT
- Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
There is so much to do at Walt Disney World Resort! What are you most looking forward to experiencing in 2026? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
